This is a simple drink to prepare that dates from ancient times. The taste is uniquely light and flowery and quite pleasant at the start of a meal or between courses. The recipe was given to us by the mother of our Hungarian friend Gyozo Zsigmond's in Turda, Romania. It has been passed down in their family for generations. It is similar to recipes we've found for a variety of medieval flower drinks and we suspect the Zsigmond family's recipe could date from this period as well.

15 min. preparation, 1 week fermenting

1 dozen fresh red roses

2 lbs sugar

1 quart spring water

1. pluck rose petals and wash well in fresh water

2. stir sugar into water

3. add rose petals

4. pour drink into airtight container making sure to fill to top so no air is present.

5. let sit at room temperature for 1 week

6. serve chilled

NOTE: This recipe can be used for other flower drinks as well. We've tried drinks made from lilies but STRONGLY recommend you check to be sure the flowers you use are safe for human consumption and do not have medicinal properties (i.e., foxglove digitalis is known to be fatal in even small doses).

This page was updated on 4-14-98. If you have queries or comments, email rcarlton@arkansas.net